Anderson Cooper shares: “I grew up in a home where reading and writing had great value,” Cooper has said. His brother was “a voracious reader,” always carrying a book around with him. So Cooper did the same. But he admits, “I would just pretend to read it, because I had trouble reading and making sense of words, in particular, letters.”
News & Articles
Chasing Gold, Olympic Shot Putter Michelle Carter Opens Up About ADHD and Dyslexia
Three-time Olympian shot putter (and 2016 gold medalist!), Michelle Carter, talks about being dyslexic and ADHD.
“Talking publicly about my ADHD and dyslexia is something I’ve never been shy about,” says Carter, who is a powerful advocate for dyslexia and encourages kids and their parents whenever she can. “I tell them you can do whatever you set your mind to—you just may do it differently. You may have to work a little bit harder, but you can do it.”
That’s the lesson her parents taught her after she was evaluated and diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in grade school. “I was definitely a handful back then,” she recalls. “I could not sit down long enough to study and to learn.”
Q&A with Logan Dooley
Watching the Olympics? Have a dyslexic athlete in your house?
Olympic athlete Logan Dooley shares that “[s]omething quirky about myself is that I am severely dyslexic.”
Dyslexia for a Day
April 23, 2016
Over 60 parents and educators came together for an informative and inspiring day of dyslexia awareness presented by The Dyslexia Training Institute. The 5 hour presentation began with simulations designed to provide participants with a better understanding of what a dyslexic student experience in the classroom. This was followed by an overview of dyslexia, including information on scientific research, symptoms and remediation programs. Attendees were also introduced to Structured Word Inquiry (SWI), which is an explicit multi-sensory strategy to understanding English orthography is based on the science of linguistics.
Throughout the program, all participants provided excellent insight, asked thoughtful questions and remained fully engaged. PC READS is especially thankful that many teachers spent 5 hours of their own time on a weekend to learn more about dyslexia and strategies to assist their students.
Our partners for this event included the Ty & Karen Hall Foundation, Utah Olympic Park, Newpark Resort and Park City Bread & Bagel. Thanks to their generosity, PC READS was able to provide this event for free. We also greatly appreciated the marketing support we received from The Park Record and KPCW.
Extended School Year (ESY) – When does a school have to provide summer programming?
Curious to learn more about ESY Services? Read this article.
Even in those districts that focus on regression after period of breaks and the extent of recoupment, it is critical to ask for the data.
Dyslexia Goals are Needy
Another excellent article on IEP goals from the DTI!
If the student has six needs in the areas of reading and spelling, they have six goals, period. While some of the areas of need can be taught simultaneously, they need to be measured separately. (And yes, spelling is a need).
Max Brooks on Dyslexia at EdRev 2016
Thankful that this video of Max Brooks from PEN’s EdRev 2016 was produced by Understood and shared on Facebook! Watch it and then show your students. EdRev is an excellent student-focused conference that takes place at the AT&T Park in San Francisco each April.
Understanding Dyslexia and the Reading Brain in Kids
Excellent article from October 2015.
EXCERPT:
This kind of anxiety and frustration can be largely avoided, said Wolf, who is also director of the Center for Reading and Language Research at Tufts University and author of “Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain.” She and colleague Martha Denckla designed a simple test to quickly know whether there is a problem in the reading circuit very early on, as early as kindergarten or first grade. Called the RAN/RAS test (Rapid Automatized Naming/Rapid Alternating Stimulus), students are timed on how fast they can name letters, numbers, colors and objects.
RAN/RAS or a comparable evaluation is one of the single best predictors that there’s something different in how the brain is putting together letters with their name, which is like a mini-version of the later reading circuit. While RAN/RAS cannot diagnose a reading problem, it does provide educators with a red flag, suggesting that students may need further evaluation.
IMSE Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training
This 5 day training course is being offered in Salt Lake City from December 5 – 9, 2016.
Thanks Moms – Happy Mother’s Day to All of You!
Happy Mother’s Day!
“You know who you are – you’re the tireless supporter, the homework helper, positive psychologist, healer, cook, coach, career woman, event planner, social coordinator, facilities manager, and CEO.”
Pre-K To Prison Pipeline: A Case For Orton Gillingham!
This September 2015 article provides strong reasoning for using an OG approach in all classrooms.
“Students using memorization as their main source to learn sight words will have a strong bank of words to use and it will help them achieve some level of reading fluency. However as they matriculate through elementary school their ability to decode multisyllabic words poses a significant challenge especially during test time.”
How Mothers have Brought on a Dyslexia Revolution
In honor of Mother’s Day:
“Mama’s are at the absolute forefront in shifting the #dyslexia narrative from a conversation of deficit to one of strengths and trade- offs. After almost 100 years of cognitive science research that indicates strengths in the dyslexic processing style, it wasn’t until the moms got access to social media and the internet that major grassroots change began to happen ( check out the amazing work of the #DecodingDyslexia all across America!).”
Most Reading Difficulties Can Be Resolved or Diminished
Nice infographic that demonstrates the importance of using Structured Literacy to teach all students.
DYSLEXIA: Addressing the Educational Implications in Public Schools
The resolution adopted by the California State PTA is full of excellent information!
Small excerpt: “WHEREAS,Most teacher preparation programs provide no training regarding dyslexia, appropriate accommodations or evidence-based Structured Literacy Instruction, leaving most teachers unprepared to adequately address the learning needs of children with dyslexia”
Being You
A new documentary, “Being You”, is showing on PBS and is also available for FREE to stream through this website.
“Your difference is your strength.”
Letter to the Editor from PC READS – May 4, 2016
Letter to the Editor from PC READS thanking the community for their support of Dyslexia for a Day.
On a recent Saturday morning, over 60 parents and educators came together for an informative and inspiring day of dyslexia awareness presented by The Dyslexia Training Institute. PC READS wants to express sincere thanks to the many teachers who spent 5 hours of their own time on a weekend to learn more about dyslexia and strategies to assist their students. Throughout the program, all participants provided excellent insight, asked thoughtful questions and remained fully engaged.
As PC READS President, I want to thank the local community members and businesses who enabled us to provide this event for free. Our partners for this event included the Ty & Karen Hall Foundation, Utah Olympic Park, Newpark Resort and Park City Bread & Bagel. Additionally, we greatly appreciate the marketing support we received from The Park Record and KPCW.
PC READS looks forward to continuing to provide awareness and support within the Park City community. If you are concerned with a student’s reading, writing or spelling and/or have questions about dyslexia, please email us at parkcityreads@gmail.com or visit our website: parkcityreads.org.
Elissa Aten, President, PC READS
Understanding Dyslexia: The Intersection of Scientific Research & Education
Watch the full U.S. Senate Committee Hearing that took place on May 10th.
Webinar: Trouble With Essays? How to Use Assistive Tech to Help Kids With Writing Issues
One hour webinar by Jamie Martin on assistive technology.
How Does the Magic Happen? Preparing America’s Teachers to Meet the Needs of Students with Dyslexia
Ensuring teachers are prepared to address the needs of dyslexic students will require changes to teacher training for those studying to become teachers and specialized professional development for those teachers already in classrooms.
Filmmaker James Redford on his famous father and dyslexia documentary
“We had him evaluated and the diagnosis was more liberating than we thought it would be, particularly for our son. The minute we heard the word there was a sigh of, ‘OK, at least we know what it is.’ As parents, it’s our firm belief that assessment, diagnosis, open discussion and owning it is important.” – James Redford speaking about his son
The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia is available at our local library.
IDA Urges ILA to Review and Clarify Key Points in Dyslexia Research Advisory
Earlier this year, the ILA (International Literacy Association) published a “Research Advisory” on Dyslexia. It was immediately controversial among experts, educators and parents. Below is the well-written response by the IDA (International Dyslexia Association).
EXCERPT: Our purpose is not to criticize the work of ILA and other organizations with missions similar to ours, but instead to encourage frank discussion that will lead to the best solutions for the very serious challenges we face in education today. ILA has highlighted important concepts related to dyslexia in its Dyslexia Research Advisory; however, IDA has a responsibility to clarify the implications of the research cited for the parents, professionals, advocates, and legislators who rely on IDA for guidance in applying research to practice.
FREE ! 22 Assistive Technology Tools for Dyslexics
At today’s PC READS meeting, we shared this excellent article and discussed the many ways that assistive technology benefits dyslexic students. It’s worth opening and saving!
Weston Boy’s Mug Business Is Global Slam Dunk
Here’s the great backstory about a young entrepreneur!
8th Grader with Dyslexia Steps Up to Address Lawmakers
PC READS always recommends Learning Ally to families!
“If I had Learning ally through my school, my experiences would have been so much different. I appreciate that you give funding to some schools, but I wish my school had funding so my beginning years of struggling would have been easier. Other kids who don’t have dyslexia read for free.” – Lindsey, 8th grade student
What is Dyslexia?
This is the first in a series of online videos by expert, Susan Barton.
Effective Reading Instruction
IDA’s handout about Structured Literacy.
What Could a Dyslexic Look Like in the Classroom?
The following successful dyslexics share their own classroom experiences.
- Dr. Beryl Benacerraf, World-Renowned Radiologist and Harvard Medical School Professor
- Sam Gejdenson, Former U.S. Congressman
- Philip Schultz, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet
- Jennifer Sheridan, Adjunct Professor at College of New Rochelle
- Rafael Galvan, Attorney & Partner in New York Law Firm
- Kent Sinclair, Attorney & Partner in Boston Law Firm
From One Teacher to Another
One of many excellent articles found on the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity’s website. “A teacher who herself is dyslexic offers insight into the challenges dyslexic students face and the strengths they bring into the classroom.”
What does the R.E.A.D. Act Really Mean for Students Who Have Dyslexia?
“This bill marks the first time dyslexia specific legislation has been made into law at a federal level.”
Ear Readers Completed Over 1 million Pages in Great Reading Games!
What a fantastic accomplishment by these students!
